Following the team with a unique perspective on all things Phillies.Email me: PhilliesPhollowers@comcast.net – Peace, Love & Baseball – Jenn

Phillies Offense: Sleepless In Seattle

After a long plane ride and change of time zones, it is understandable how the Phillies might have been jet lagged in the Friday night 4-2 loss to the Mariners. Hopefully, they have gotten some sleep and will be a bit more peppy for Saturday’s game.

Off rookie pitcher Michael Pineda, the Phils managed only one run. Chase Utley hit an RBI-single in the sixth inning to score Jimmy Rollins. Shane Victorino broke up the no-hitter right before that with a single to right.

The Phillies had more chances in that inning after Ryan Howard walked to load the bases with two outs. But Placido Polanco had a few odd strikes called on him and he eventually struck out. Polly let the umpire, whose strike zone was all over the place, that he was not pleased.

But even the usually quiet Polly speaking up could not spark this sleepy offense. Victorino hit a solo homer in the seventh, but that was it for the offense who had a total of only 6 hits in the game.

Roy Oswalt was off his game, as well. In 6.1 innings, Oswalt gave up four runs on eight hits and two walks. His record on the year is now 3-4 with a 3.38 ERA.

Things will not get any easier for the Phillies on Saturday night. They will be facing an even tougher pitcher, the 2010 AL Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez. And the Phils are putting rookie Vance Worley on the mound to face him.

The good news is that the Phillies left-handed heavy line-up is facing a right-handed pitcher. The bad news? Pretty much everything else. Cross your fingers…game time is 10:10pm. Guess we will all be a little sleepy after this one.

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